Chapter 284: Probing Zhang Wentuo! (1/2)

Chapter 284: Probing Zhang Wentuo!

Zhang Wentuo was tall and brawny, but he had a square and upright face that suggested that he was an honest person.

Wang Chong could feel the rigid discipline belonging to that of a military from him; it was somewhat similar to the aura he felt from his father.

Looking at the figure before him, Wang Chong still found it hard to believe that the other party had lusted over the wife and daughter of Mengshe Zhao's sovereign, Geluo Feng, and lured them into the City Lord Residence to rape and kill them. Out of rage, Geluo Feng rallied all of the forces of Mengshe Zhao to attack Great Tang in revenge for his wife and daughter, and this eventually blew up into a massive war that would shake Great Tang's core.

Geluo Feng was an ambitious person, but if not for the provocation from the defilement and deaths of his wife and daughter, he might not have the guts to rally all of the forces of his country to wage war on Great Tang.

More importantly, Zhang Wentuo was the Jiannan Commander, but his actions were disgraceful.

As such, Great Tang lost its moral high ground, as well as a reason to deal with Erhai Mengshe Zhao in the future. In fact, even after the deaths of the 180,000 soldiers, most, especially those from Jiannan who were suffered the most from the war, were still sympathetic to Geluo Feng's plight.

Such ridiculous actions had never happened in the history of Great Tang before.

And as the one who caused all of these, Zhang Wentuo became the greatest criminal of Great Tang, a figure of hate to the entire population.

These thoughts flashed across Wang Chong's mind swiftly, and he soon regained his calm.

”Lord, please!” Suppressing his thoughts, Wang Chong stretched a hand forward and led Zhang Wentuo to his seat.

”Wang gongzi, thank you for your courtesy. May I know the reason behind your invitation?” Zhang Wentuo had a candid character as befitting of a military man, so he disliked beating around the bush. Just a few seconds after meeting Wang Chong, he immediately dove into the main topic at hand.

”Haha. May I know how the progress of Lord Zhangchou's promotion is getting along?”

Instead of revealing his motive behind inviting Zhang Wentuo, Wang Chong began asking about the latter's meeting with the Sage Emperor. As he spoke, he lifted the teapot placed on the table by the side and poured himself a steaming cup of tea.

”It's still fine. His Majesty didn't say anything much, but everything seems to be going well. I should be returning to Jiannan a few days from now.” Zhang Wentuo frowned, but he didn't say anything more.

”So fast?” Wang Chong was surprised. It had just been a couple of days since Zhang Wentuo arrived at the capital, so it was rather surprising that he would be leaving so soon.

“The main reason why I am at the capital is to support the Protector-General. Since everything is going along as planned, I'll need to return soon to take care of my responsibilities back at Jiannan,” Zhang Wentuo explained patiently.

He had never been good at socializing. Even back at Jiannan, he didn't have a particularly good relationship with Zhangchou Jianqiong or Xianyu Zhongtong, needless to say Wang Chong, whom he had just met.

”The southwestern region isn't as prosperous as the capital. Since it's rare for Lord Zhang to come to the capital, why don't you stay for a while longer? At the western part of the city, there's a Plum Blossom Hall which all gentlemen should visit at least once in their lifetime. Why don't you allow me to play host and bring you over?” While saying those words, Wang Chong carefully examined Zhang Wentuo's expression, taking into sight the slightest variations in his expression.

”Wang gongzi!” But as soon as Wang Chong uttered those words, Zhang Wentuo's stern voice immediately sounded. He stood up and glared and Wang Chong with frost in his eyes. Then, with a tone filled with wrath, he berated, ”It's out of respect of gongzi's reputation and standing as Duke Jiu's offspring that I came here today. To think that gongzi intends to bring me to such depraved establishments! Wang gongzi, I have truly misjudged you! If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave now!”

The displeasure on his face was clear.

Wang Chong's words had truly astounded him. Plum Blossom Hall sounded like a proper establishment, but it was in truth a famous brothel in the capital. Even a person like Zhang Wentuo who didn't have any interest in visiting such places had heard of its name.

Zhang Wentuo never imagined that Wang Chong would actually try to bring him to such a place.

Perhaps it might be a popular destination for the scions and wealthy in the capital, but it definitely wasn't one for Zhang Wentuo. What did the other party take him to be?

Thinking such, Zhang Wentuo's eyes were filled with rage.

”Hahaha, Lord Zhang, please pardon me for my faux pas. I have only mentioned it on a whim. Since Lord Zhang dislikes the notion, please do treat it as I've never brought it up. It's a huge misunderstanding on my part, so do accept my apology.”

Seeing Zhang Wentuo flying into a rage, a bright gleam flashed across Wang Chong's eyes.

Visiting the Plum Blossom Hall? How could that be? His mother was just a few rooms away from him, how could he possibly bring Zhang Wentuo to such a place?

That was just an attempt to probe the other party's character.

Zhang Wentuo seemed to genuinely angry at the notion, and Wang Chong felt delighted by the other party's reaction.

At the very least, this proved Wang Chong wasn't wrong—Zhang Wentuo wasn't a lustful person.

His character and personality were truly alike to a blunt military man.

Wang Chong also frankly admitted his mistake and bowed respectfully to Zhang Wentuo in apology.

Given the other party's sincere apology, Zhang Wentuo wasn't in a position to kick up a fuss either. After all, Wang Chong was only a fifteen-year-old child.

Under Wang Chong's persistence, Zhang Wentuo could only sit back down.

”Lord Zhang, the real reason why I invited you over is because I have a request that I hope you can accede to,” Wang Chong said.

”Oh? Gongzi, feel free to speak.” Zhang Wentuo looked at Wang Chong and gestured for the him to speak.

”It's regarding the Lion Rock Hill.”

”Hasn't our Protector-General agreed to gongzi's request already?” Zhang Wentuo was bewildered.